ProfNet Experts Available on DACA, Hurricanes, Climate Change, More

NEW YORK, Sept. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network who are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area.

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EXPERT ALERTS

'Resilient' Electric Grids, Hurricanes, and National Impacts

Hurricane Insurance Claims Process and Law

Lowering the Cost of Healthcare at the Ground Level

Potential Impact of Health Policy Changes on Cost of Care

A New Way to Think About Climate Change

EXPERT ROUNDUP: DACA (17 experts)

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OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

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Blog Profiles: Hand Lettering Blogs

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EXPERT ALERTS:

'Resilient' Electric Grids, Hurricanes, and National ImpactsAlberto J. LamadridAssistant Professor in EconomicsLehigh UniversityLamadrid is available to discuss impacts on the electrical grid from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, including what went wrong, advice for response now and in the future, what we can learn and apply for the "next" one, the roles of fossil fuels and renewable energy in energy grids, power and delivery disruptions, and social and urban planning impacts: "It is necessary to explicitly consider the interdependencies with other systems (e.g., the communications infrastructure to dispatch emergency services, the transportation network to deploy repair crews and possible mobile generators), to improve the response and restoration of functionality. Gathering data and evaluating back the response is necessary to reflect and improve the response long-term. This starts with examining how critical facilities performed (hospitals, lifelines systems), and what systems may have failed, affecting design considerations like backup generation. For example, if a cooling system for a plant is flooded this may lead to overheating or even worse, explosions after loss of power (as in the Fukushima disaster and Arkema in Houston). This can also inform future mitigation measures to implement. It is very expensive to design a system to be able withstand low-probability, high-impact events. This is where the main distinction between reliability and resiliency comes in. Reliability means being able to accommodate high-probability, low-impact events (e.g., a line out, a distribution transformer outage, even a generation outage). The electricity system is generally reliable, with tight standards. But for extreme events, system operators, utilities in the affected area, and cities need to harness the power of flexibility and incorporate advances that can improve the ability to restore functionality quickly, after a disruption. This entails optimally planning for restoration (e.g., placement of inventory depots and first responders), allocating resources efficiently in the response stage, and taking measures or actions that support a social objective. Some measures include microgrid formation to bring power back into synchronicity, mobile generators that can be deployed to places where the network is more vulnerable."Lamadrid's work focuses on recovery for communities post-extreme disruption events, considering interactions among electrical and transportation infrastructure, communications, and social structures. He has an upcoming article in IEEE: Transactions on Power Systems (abstract: https://goo.gl/dsGr6F) about strategies for restoration of electrical power after a disruption by using microgrids, demand response, and mobile generators. Lamadrid is part of the Integrated Networks for Electricity Research Cluster and the Power from Ocean, Rivers, and Tides (PORT) Lab at Lehigh University.Bio: http://cbe.lehigh.edu/faculty-research/faculty/economics/alberto-j-lamadridContact: Amy White, [email protected]ehigh.edu

Hurricane Insurance Claims Process and LawJason TurchinHurricane Insurance AttorneyLaw Offices of Jason TurchinTurchin is available to discuss the claims process and law involving hurricane insurance claims, including homeowner claims, flood insurance claims, and automobile insurance claims from the legal perspective: "After a catastrophic hurricane, many victims are thrown into the uncertain world of insurance claims against large insurance companies and adjusters who handle claims for a living. It is important for them to know their rights under the law and their insurance policies."Based in Ft. Lauderdale and NYC, Turchin has handled more than 5,500 insurance claims, and is a #1 bestselling author of "My Attorney's Guide to Understanding Insurance Coverage After an Accident." He has appeared on the CBS Evening News, CNN, New York Times, Bloomberg News, Wall Street Journal, NBC Miami, CBS4, Sun Sentinel, Miami New Times, Fox News Naples, and many other print and TV media.ProfNet Profile: www.profnetconnect.com/jason_turchinWebsite: https://www.victimaid.com/hurricane-and-homeowner-insurance-claims.htmlExpert Contact: Jason Turchin, [email protected]

Lowering the Cost of Healthcare at the Ground LevelChris DawePrincipal, Transformation; Former White House Health Policy AdvisorEvolent HealthBased in Washington, D.C., Dawe is available to discuss lowering the cost of care at the ground level through policy, and whether the federal discussions have the potential to achieve that goal or should be redirected. He focuses especially on Accountable Care Organizations, including their structuring, policy needs, and results: "The missing big picture in this week's health policy discussions: We still haven't seen this Congress do something the Obama administration didn't do, either: be specific about what the end game looks like with a better health care payment system. We need more permanent structures, not pilots." Read more about Dawe's thinking on ACOs in health affairs here: https://tinyurl.com/gwo4nxqAt Evolent Health, Dawe leads teams that work with Evolent's health system partners to design, build and operate successful value-based businesses. He also leads Evolent's health policy team. Before coming to Evolent, Dawe served as policy advisor for health care at the National Economic Council at the White House; the director of Delivery System Reform at the Department of Health and Human Services; and as a professional staff member for the Senate Finance Committee. In his roles in the Administration and the Senate, Dawe played a pivotal role in the design and implementation of health care reform, including the development of multiple provisions of the ACA (the Medicare Shared Savings (ACO) Program and the CMS Innovation Center). He also developed the Meaningful Use provisions of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009. Before coming to Washington, he worked in the business planning group at Partners Healthcare in Boston.Website: https://www.evolenthealth.comContact: Liz DeForest, [email protected]

Potential Impact of Health Policy Changes on Cost of CareKen WoodSenior Vice President, Health Plan DevelopmentEvolent HealthWood is available to discuss health policy and the potential impact on commercial insurers, provider-sponsored health plans and the cost of care, including impact of the cost sharing reduction Trump has given/taken/given. He can also discuss the fate of singleton insurers who are the only payer in an exchange, saying it doesn't look promising for them or for patient costs, especially combined with the decrease in attention in getting folks to sign up for the exchanges: "State regulators have done heroic work to assure that at least one ACA individual health plan is available in every county in the country. But it is too early to declare victory -- health insurance markets thrive on certainty and competition. The federal government's continued ambivalence around enforcement of the ACA enrollment mandate and failure to commit to the routine payment of the Cost Share Reduction (CSR) funds (which help reduce the out-of-pocket costs for millions of Americans) means that solo plans in counties are at substantial financial risk and have a very uncertain future. Without enforcing the individual enrollment mandate, relatively healthy people will skip purchasing coverage and those who do enroll will likely have higher health care costs than the premiums they pay. Insurance only works when there is a balanced pool of covered individuals. The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land -- it absolutely can be improved, but it should be honorably and effectively enforced until it is modified."Read more about Wood's thoughts on hospital concerns as health policy is in limbo here: https://tinyurl.com/y78k2ohyBio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenwood/Website: https://www.evolenthealth.comContact: Liz DeForest, [email protected]

A New Way to Think About Climate ChangeAnita Sanchez, Ph.D.Author, Transformational Leadership Consultant"Rather than seeing ourselves as part of the Earth and intrinsically connected to her seasons, cycles and rhythms, this 'I am separate' mindset causes us to behave toward the natural world as if we are not connected to it, as if it is something to own, use, and dominate, resulting in unlimited resource extraction, pollution of our environment, degradation of our food and water, climate change, the extinction of species, and more."Dr. Sanchez is a transformational leadership consultant, speaker, coach and author of the new book, "The Four Sacred Gifts: Indigenous Wisdom for Modern Times," coming in September 2017 from Enliven, a new imprint from Atria Publishing Group of Simon & Schuster. She bridges indigenous teachings with the latest science to inspire and equip women and men to enjoy meaningful, empowered lives and careers. With four decades of experience coaching and training executives and their teams in dozens of Fortune 500 companies, governmental groups and non-governmental agencies, Dr. Sanchez is an established leader in global organizational change initiatives. She is a member of the Transformational Leadership Council with luminaries such as Jack Canfield, Marianne Williamson and John Gray, as well as the Association of Transformational Leaders, the Evolutionary Business Council, and serves on the Boards of the Bioneers organization and the Pachamama Alliance. She resides in the mountains outside of Boulder, Colo., with her husband and sons.Online Press Kit: http://anitasanchez.onlinepresskit247.comWebsite: www.FourSacredGifts.comContact: Michelle Tennant, [email protected]

EXPERT ROUNDUP: DACA (17 experts)

Following are experts from the ProfNet network who are available to discuss President Trump's decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program:

Monsignor Kevin SullivanExecutive DirectorCatholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York"We deeply regret the president's decision to rescind the DACA program and initiate steps to end the program without any replacement. Catholic Charities remains steadfast in our solidarity with the 800,000 'Dreamers,' who face even more uncertainty and threat. We recognize the six-month wind-down period provides an imperative for us to act quickly. We urgently call upon the president to support and Congress to promptly pass legislation that will protect and provide opportunities for these 'Dreamers.' We will work with any and all to achieve this goal."Monsignor Sullivan can speak to issues regarding immigration and refugees.Contact: Amanda Perez, [email protected]

Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.PresidentUniversity of Notre Dame"A decision to discontinue DACA would be foolish, cruel and un-American. Foolish because it drives away talented people the country needs; cruel because it abandons people who have done nothing wrong and have known life only in the United States; and un-American because we have always welcomed immigrants to our land of opportunity. In coming days, I hope to meet with congressional leaders to argue for a permanent fix to this pressing problem. In the meantime, Notre Dame will continue to support DACA students financially, maintain their enrollment even if Congress fails to act and provide expert legal assistance should it become necessary."Fr. Jenkins spoke out in advance of the Trump administration's decision on DACA and said this on Aug. 31: "We urge the president to continue to give status to young people who have done nothing wrong, most of whom have only known life in the United States and who will make important contributions to it. Notre Dame intends to support these students and asks the administration to do the same." (Full text here: https://tinyurl.com/yab9wkys)

Elected in 2005 as the University of Notre Dame's 17th president, Fr. Jenkins has devoted himself to fostering the university's unique place in academia, the Church, our nation and the world. A philosopher trained in theology and a member of Notre Dame's Department of Philosophy since 1990, Fr. Jenkins has been committed to combining teaching and research excellence with a cultivation of the deeper purposes of Catholic higher education. While pursuing academic distinction, he has brought renewed emphasis to Notre Dame's distinctive mission to educate the whole person – mind, body and spirit – to do good in the world. These commitments have been made manifest in the University's dedication to excellence in undergraduate education in the classroom and beyond, while simultaneously building a reputation as a preeminent research institution – all in the context of Notre Dame's Catholic identity. Within the University and beyond, Fr. Jenkins has called for civil discourse as a way to find common ground rather than demonize those with a different opinion. The Commission on Presidential Debates, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that sponsors and produces all U.S. presidential and vice presidential debates, cited his leadership on this issue in electing Fr. Jenkins to its board of directors in 2011. The University of Notre Dame announced in August of 2013 that it had changed its admission policies and would admit undocumented students.Bio: http://president.nd.edu/about-the-president/Contact: Sue Lister, [email protected]

Legal Aspects of DACAIlan WurmanAttorney, Winston & Strawn, LLPNonresident Fellow, Stanford Constitutional Law Center"The constitutional case against DACA is compelling. Suspending the operation of the law entirely against a group of people is a promise never to enforce that law at all. The Constitution does not recognize this kind of 'suspending' power. The Constitution recognizes only three kinds of power -- legislative, executive, and judicial -- and vests them in three different branches of government. It does not recognize a power to suspend the laws. Such a power was claimed by King James I, and the English civil war was fought in part to redress this assertion of power. And our own revolution was justified in part on the ground that King George III had claimed the power to suspend laws enacted by our colonial assemblies. To be sure, in the present case the Constitution is inconvenient. It is hard to get Congress to exercise its constitutional powers to enact controversial legislative change. Even if most members of Congress agree that the Dreamers ought to be protected, legislating often requires balancing many competing interests that can make it difficult to achieve results even where there is otherwise agreement. But our Constitution was not meant to be convenient. Even if a policy is so obviously just, the president does not have the constitutional power to enact it on his own. We all know this to be true, and we all understand why. We have the separation of powers as a check against tyranny; although in this case the exercise of presidential unilateralism may lead to a good result, we cannot be sure that in most that will be the case. And the precedent set by DACA applies equally to all cases, whether the results are good or bad."Ilan is the author of the new book, "A Debt Against the Living: An Introduction to Originalism" (Cambridge University Press).Contact: Anna Walsh, [email protected]

Laurie WoogOf CounselMandelbaum Salsburg, Roseland, N.J.Woog is available to discuss the impact of a DACA repeal and can provide on information on Dreamers: who they are, how they have grown up as Americans, were educated in America, and how they contribute to the American economy. She has been working with families to consult them regarding the revocation of DACA: "This is a very uncertain time for DACA recipients and their families in terms of their future, employment, schooling, renewal of their driver's licenses, etc., and it is throwing many families' lives into disarray."Since the announcement, Woog has been consulting with families and can discuss the following: 1) Alternative basis to stay in the U.S., such as political asylum. Helping immigrants answer the following questions: Did they come in with a visa or cross the border without inspection? Did they re-enter with advance parole while on DACA and have current basis for an immigrant visa petition through a relative? 2) Deadlines for DACA rescission and renewal, outlining possible moves and solutions by Congress. Urging people to contact Congress to pass a DREAM Act (and urging others such as colleges and employers to do the same). 3) The progress of various bills in Congress such as the bipartisan DREAM Act in House and Senate, RAC, Bridge Act. 4) How immigrants should handle travel, including the reasons traveling outside the U.S. is discouraged.Bio: http://www.lawfirm.ms/?r=professionals/laurie-j-woog-counsel/Contact: Angela Crawford, [email protected]

Dick Burke

President/CEOEnvoy"Now is the time for the business community to mobilize and do what they can to protect their workers. Nearly 75 percent of the world's largest companies employ DACA recipients, and many may not even know since DACA employees aren't required to disclose their status. We encourage all companies to act -- whether it's by contacting their local congressperson or working with impacted employees to determine their options. Unfortunately, there's no clear path of recourse for those affected by the rescission of DACA. Since every situation is unique, companies looking to help impacted employees should talk with their immigration partner to determine next steps and potential actions."Burke is the president and CEO of Envoy, a global immigration services provider. He has more than two decades of business management experience with companies like Apartments.com and Classified Ventures LLC. He can discuss topics such as workplace immigration, immigration compliance, and immigration as it pertains to employers.Contact: Jorie Goins, [email protected]

Brad ChristersonProfessor of SociologyBiola UniversityChristerson is available to discuss the sociological impact of removing DACA: "President Trump justified his revoking of DACA by stating that the failure to enforce immigration law takes jobs from Americans, cost taxpayers, and increases crime. These statements are false -- immigration is a net benefit to native-born Americans."Christerson has written extensively in the areas of religion, race, ethnicity, and globalization. He is co-author of "The Rise of Network Christianity: How Independent are Changing the Religious Landscape" (Oxford University Press, 2017), "Growing Up in America: The Power of Race in the Lives of Teens" (Stanford University Press, 2010) and "Against All Odds: The Struggle of Racial Integration in Religious Organizations" (2005, New York University Press).Contact: Jenna Loumagne, [email protected]

Octavio EsquedaProfessor of Christian Higher EducationBiola UniversityEsqueda can share a theological viewpoint of why Christians should support DACA. He is a professor of Christian higher education in the doctoral programs in educational studies at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He was born and raised in Guadalajara, México, where he graduated with honors with a Licenciatura in Latin American Literature from the University of Guadalajara, as well as two additional diplomas, one on religion and society and the second on journalism. He graduated with honors from Dallas Theological Seminary with an M.A. in Christian Education and completed his Ph.D. in Higher Education at the University of North Texas. Before coming to Biola University in 2011, he taught at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, for over seven years. He and his wife, Angélica, have two children Darío and Salma. Esqueda has several publications on theological education, Christian higher education and literature. Teaching is his passion and has had the opportunity to teach in several countries on different academic levels. He is an avid soccer fan.Contact: Jenna Loumagne, [email protected]

Scott WallerProfessor of Political ScienceBiola UniversityWaller is available to discuss how the political process will work in the next six months surrounding Congress finding a solution -- specifically, what we can expect to actually emerge from the political process.Waller holds graduate degrees in both philosophy and political science. He has an M.A. from Talbot School of Theology in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics and an M.A. in Politics and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Claremont Graduate University in the fields of American Politics and Political Theory. His research interests involve the intersection of religion and politics, jurisprudence surrounding the First Amendment religion clauses and the evolving role of the judiciary within the American political order. He is a frequent guest on local radio discussing American politics.Contact: Jenna Loumagne, [email protected]

Barmak NassirianDirector, Federal RelationsAmerican Association of State Colleges and UniversitiesNassirian is well-versed in DACA and how it will affect students and higher education. In his role as director of federal relations and policy analysis, he coordinates federal relations and legislative, regulatory, and public policy at the federal level. A nationally known policy analyst and expert on federal student aid, Nassirian has an extensive network of contacts on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill, with the Obama Administration and within key federal agencies, as well as with the media and the broader national higher education community.Full Bio: http://www.aascu.org/policy/BarmakNassirian/Contact: Jennifer Dawn Walpole, [email protected]

Christina GreerAssociate Professor of Political ScienceFordham UniversityGreer is available to discuss what DACA is, how it affects immigrants, Congressional legislation that needs to be passed, and more. Her research and teaching focus on American politics, black ethnic politics, urban politics, quantitative methods, Congress, New York City and New York State politics, campaigns and elections, and public opinion. Her book, "Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream" (Oxford University Press), investigates the increasingly ethnically diverse black populations in the U.S. from Africa and the Caribbean. She finds that both ethnicity and a shared racial identity matter and also affect the policy choices and preferences for black groups. Greer is currently writing her second manuscript and conducting research on the history of all African-Americans who have run for the executive office in the U.S. Her research interests also include mayors and public policy in urban centers. Her previous work has compared criminal activity and political responses in Boston and Baltimore. Greer received her BA from Tufts University and her MA, MPhil, and PhD in Political Science from Columbia University.Bio: https://www.fordham.edu/info/22662/faculty/4493/christina_greerContact: Rachel Roman, [email protected]

Ashkan EmamiCo-founder & PartnerPath Law GroupEmami can discuss all aspects of DACA specifically, and immigration law generally. The vast majority (more than one quarter) of DACA recipients are in California, and within California the largest population is in the Greater Los Angeles area. Estimates are that more than 90% of DACA beneficiaries are employed. As an aside, hundreds of them work in some for with the Hollywood/entertainment industry. According to Emami, ending DACA would not only split apart families but also impact the economy.Website: http://www.pathlawgroup.comContact: Olivier Gibbons, Esq., [email protected]

Dr. Carina Bandhauer

Professor of Sociology, Department of Social SciencesWestern Connecticut State UniversityDr. Bandhauer's areas of expertise include undocumented migration, immigration in general, racism targeting immigrants and Latino/as. She specializes in the sociology of racism, immigration and globalization with a regional specialization in Latin America. She has two research foci: racism targeting Latinos, specifically as it foments from the anti-immigrant movement; and the racialized rifts or disconnects between people of color and white native-born citizens. Bandhauer is committed to teaching, researching and working to achieve social justice through awareness. Dr. Bandhauer volunteers as a consultant and does diversity trainings both on and off campus. Moreover, she has long worked with immigrant communities in many capacities, but especially with undocumented students. She has also worked with U.S.-El Salvador Sister Cities to build and strengthen ongoing partnerships with rural communities in El Salvador since 1993. Dr. Bandhauer served as creative consultant for the production of the film, "El Pueblo Unido," which documented her work in El Salvador and premiered at the Montreal Film Festival in 2004. She earned her Ph.D. at Binghamton University in 2001.Contact: Sherri Hill, [email protected]

Christina PollardVisiting Assistant Professor, School of LawUniversity of ArkansasPollard is available to comment on the Trump administration's decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, which protects hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants from deportation. Pollard directs the Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Arkansas School of Law. She previously served as director of the immigration law clinic at University of Idaho College of Law and, from 2007 until 2013, Pollard built and led the immigration law clinic at Oklahoma City University School of Law, where she taught the substantive immigration law course. Her scholarship focuses on the fields of immigration and human rights, especially on issues affecting battered immigrants.Contact: Matt McGowan, [email protected]

Bill SchwabProfessor of Sociology, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and SciencesUniversity of ArkansasSchwab is available to comment on the Trump administration's decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, which protects hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants from deportation. He is the author of a 2013 book on the Dream Act titled "Right to Dream: Immigration Reform and America's Future." In his book, Schwab explains the legal issues surrounding the education of immigrant children, how immigration has shaped the nation, and the benefits of bringing undocumented youth out of the shadows and into society.Contact: Matt McGowan, [email protected]

Josh KingChief Legal OfficerAvvoKing can discuss the legal implications for families affected by the repeal; legal options available for those affected (including a 24-hour hotline that Avvo just opened to help those affected by the repeal); whether there's a chance Congress could save DACA, and how realistic that is.As chief legal officer for online legal marketplace Avvo, King is responsible for the company's legal affairs and business operations. Prior to joining Avvo in 2007, King spent over a decade in the wireless industry, including roles as vice president, corporate development at AT&T Wireless and general counsel at Cellular One of San Francisco. He earned a J.D. from the University of California Hastings College of the Law and a bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon.Bio: https://www.avvo.com/about_avvo/leadershipWebsite: https://www.avvo.comContact: Laura Kaster, [email protected]

Henry M. MasciaCivil Litigator and Immigration AttorneyRivkin RadlerMascia, an expert on the employment aspects of DACA, developed Rivkin Radler's Immigration practice. As an immigration attorney, he represents clients seeking H-1B Visas for highly skilled workers in specialty occupations, L Visas for intra-company transfers engaged in specialized employment, O Visas foreign nationals with extraordinary ability, E Visas for treaty traders and investors, P Visas for entertainers and athletes, and TN Visas for highly skilled Mexican and Canadian professionals. Mascia also represents individuals seeking to sponsor family members to become lawful permanent residents and advises corporate clients on compliance with E-Verify and Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. He recently published the alert: "What the DACA Rescission Means for Employers" (https://tinyurl.com/yad2m3k9).In 2017, Mascia received the New York State Bar Association's President's Pro Bono Award, and was named Pro Bono Attorney of the Year by Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. Before joining Rivkin Radler, he worked as an attorney advisor at the U.S. Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review, colloquially known as the "Immigration Court."Bio: http://www.rivkinradler.com/attorneys/henry-m-mascia/Contact: Andrea Jones, [email protected]

John F. McKnight, Jr.Dean of Institutional Equity and InclusionConnecticut CollegeDean McKnight can address the different ways in which DACA being rescinded will affect students in higher education, as well as what Connecticut College is doing on campus to support students and their families. McKnight is responsible for the overall vision and leadership of the work of equity and inclusion on campus, and collaborates with leaders across campus to fulfill the college's commitment to full participation. Specifically, he oversees the offices of the associate dean of equity and inclusion, religious and spiritual life, the Women's Center, Unity House, the LGBTQ Resource Center and the Title IX coordinator.Website: www.conncoll.eduContact: Kerry Meehan,[email protected]

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